The Fates, or The Moirai, were the three goddesses of fate who personified the inescapable destiny of man within the scope of Greek mythology. They were considered to be three sister deities, incarnations of destiny and life. Their names were Clotho, the one who spins the thread of life; Lachesis , she who draws the lots and determines how long one lives, by measuring the thread of life; and Atropos , the inevitable, she who chose how someone dies by cutting the thread of life with her shears. They were known to be old, and ugly, as well as stern and severe. Within three days of a child being born, The Fates would visit the newborn to determine its fate and life.

The Fates were challenged by Antigone, a mortal daughter of two immortal gods, who was locked in a tomb for opposing divine law. Within the tomb, she attempted suicide, failed, and was punished by the gods with a grant of immortality. She was forced to spend her immortal life in a cave dungeon alone. Antigone’s only form of escape was dreaming and creative release.

Art and mythology both function as means of escape and retreat from mortal hardships. Both ideas are immortal – literally as well as metaphorically. Art, as well as mythology, are limitless, yet we find them also to be inexplicably binding. Similarly to Antigone, many artists mentally and physically find retreat within forms of transcendence, such as dreaming, fantasy, and storytelling. Through their art, they attempt to communicate those relieving indulgences. While we are not literally immortal and trapped in a cave, it can often feel that way and the ‘retreat’ art offers to artists, as well as viewers, is comforting- a simple but complex pleasure.

The Fates bring together artists whose work is made as a personal escape in itself, or made about motifs of fantastical escapism.